It is becoming apparent that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) do not directly contribute to mesenchymal tissue regeneration. Pre-clinical attempts to repair large bone defects in big animal models have been hampered by poor MSCs survival after implantation which impedes their direct or indirect effects. Based on previous work, we hypothesized that a venous axial vascularization of the scaffold supporting MSCs or their combination with fresh bone marrow (BM) aspirate would improve their in vivo survival. Cross-shape profile tubular microporous monetite implants (12mm long, 5mm large) as two longitudinal halves were produced by 3D powder printing. They were implanted around the femoral veins of Wistar rats and loaded with 1mL of BM aspirate either alone or supplemented by 107 MSCs. This was compared with BM-free scaffolds loaded only with 107 MSCs. After 8 weeks bone formation were investigated by micro-CT, scanning electron microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry.Abstract
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